Feelin Good

I was watching Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer trailer today. She is an incredibly resilient survivor of an apparent incurable stage 4 cancer. Most people will know someone who has either dealt with it, IS dealing with it, or may encounter it in the future. Apparently 45% of men and 41% of women will deal with this sometimes life threatening disease in their lives. 
(Stats here at Cancer.ca)

This is something I believe that with the right diet, lifestyle and mindset can either be completely bypassed, or overcome. I really want to see Kris Carr's documentary- just the trailer itself drew me in. I am not personally dealing with cancer, but I know, have known and will know someone who is dealing with it. Her mindset got her through and above any other method of treatment- she decided that she was going to live. I love that! 

But why does it take disease for some of us to begin to wake up to life? I don't want to have to wait for something detrimental to happen to me for my eyes to open. Why do I bring this up? Because how many of us have that unwritten or unspoken bucket list we've always dreamt about? Or that hobby that we just love to do that we "just don't have the time for"? 

Why wait? I've watched more than my share of her inspiring videos on YouTube (more of her that I will share in the future). Why wait until tomorrow to live your life? Why is "another day" just better than right NOW? 

I say, let's stop. Breath, and do it. Just do it! That's what I'm all about. 

What if we don't have tomorrow? In a way, it's a blessing to think like this, because if we're always waiting for tomorrow, when will our lives ever be fully lived?

You may think what I'm about to say is a bit silly- but I LOVE dancing! That's all I want to do. And from the Crazy Sexy Cancer trailer it has inspired me to make time to just dance, even if it's to ONE song daily! That's it! That's my goal right now is to get back in touch with that ultra creative, physical side of me and just let loose- even if it's just with my son. He's much more entertaining to dance with then bumping into drunk people at a club anyways :)

What is it that you've been wanting to do, but just haven't given yourself permission, or simply just the time to do?

Just do it!

This photo is courtesy of thinkforphotop/ freedigitalimages.net

Today I'd like to share with you a little part of my life. I like to read- did you know that? I'm a major geek at heart, and its something my sweetie loves about me. Apparently he's 

"the cool one" 

and I'm 

"the geek"

My way of enjoying life is singing, dancing, reading and writing. All of which require me to never have to leave the confines of my cozy little home. I love my home. Its not like I stay home a lot, as living in the city makes for such a busy lifestyle. 

I'm out and about with my son constantly. But as an introvert my way of recharging is being at home- its something I've recently accepted about myself 

I am me 

Big revelation, right? Not really. I can't change me. 

This was taken on a road trip with a friend along the Oregon coast

Accepting this has given me more opportunity to figure out what works for me. I love writing. And apparently it shows. I've been approached for the third time to write a book. Its nerve racking! Its nerve racking because fear gets in the way. But if I really think about it, I blog. I share myself with people all over the world every week. So I'm negotiating with myself on a daily basis 

"If I can do this, I can write a book!". 

My goal is to sit down and make a game plan. I have no idea where to start. But I'm just gonna do it. That's what I live by 

"Just do it" 

If you've been reading my blog for a little while, you must know this about me by now.

I went to Mexico recently and in the spur of the moment I decided to jump in- literally. I have a severe fear of dark water. I have an issue with not having control over situations around me. But an opportunity came up where I was able to go snorkelling. I said "why not?". If I even thought about it for a moment I wouldn't have done it. What I'm doing with my writing career is I'm thinking too much about it- wondering how I'll "make it perfect", and where I'll find the time to do it. Not only did I snorkel once in Mexico, I did twice more after that, and my last trip before leaving was with sea turtles- the most magical experience of my life! If I had reached my arm out I could've touched that big, beautiful majestic creature in front of me. Its something I will remember for the rest of my life, and its because I took the leap. I will now jump into the sea of writing where I feel happy, and content. I love connecting with people through my writing, and I love talking to you. 

I guess this is also a thank you. Thank you for reading. Please follow me on Bloglovin'. There is a button on the left side of the page, right under "All about me". You can receive emails right to your inbox anytime I write new content. I'll keep you posted on the book writing too! With such a little ball of energy (aka: my son) I'm going to assume that my book will take some time to get through. I'm already working on my blog on a daily basis, and its not something I'm willing to put on the back burner, as blogging is my fuel for creativity.

Please keep reading, and I will keep writing. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have such a great, supportive audience. Thank you!

Life Hack- Exercise Part II + Exercise Music

I wanted to give you an update on this awesome workout I talked about earlier this week called HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). I'm so happy and excited that I came across this exercise, as I stated previously- I'm lazy! A full workout for me is literally 25 minutes in total- with 10 minutes of actual HIIT. I love stretching- which is the last 15 minutes of my workout- but I only stretch when I have to, so this workout is giving me good reason to do so. The day after my first HIIT workout my mid back was super tight so I made sure to focus some effort around stretching my back today.

The first time I did the workout was Sunday, and in my last post A Little Piece of Mexico I said I was going to do another workout but I ended up tiring very quickly (as of yesterday the bug has completely left my system- FINALLY, and my energy is back to normal- WOO-HOO!).

Since my son stayed the night with his 'Nan' I stayed up late reading a novel in the bath tub with half a bottle of wine- yes, half a bottle. Not a glass because when does this mama get to have more than a glass of wine with no kiddie around? Not often, so I take full advantage of my days when I get them.

I came across this article on twitter the other day and thought I'd share it as I had a cup of joe before my workout today and felt good doing so "5 Reasons to Drink Coffee Before Your Workout". 

Also, who doesn't like some good tunes when they workout? An excuse I used to have (I found it to be very logical) was I didn't have the right music to workout to, right? Who wants to workout in silence? Since I'm doing a hard hitting, 10 minute, sweat inducing workout I needed some hard hitting music to keep myself pumped.

Here's my NEW, and probably my very first playlist (usually my Mr. is my DJ- its still his music, but I'm compiling my own list from his tunes). I wanted to share it because I'm uber proud of it, and I think it rocks :)

1. Bad Kingdom- Moderate (super fav, and I will always start my new workout on this song)
2. Caller ID- Mat Zo (When I did a planking challenge last year I used only this song)
3. Hey Now (Arty Remix)- London Grammar
4. Pyrimad Scheme (Club Remix)- Mat Zo feat. Chuck D
5. Hindsight- Audien 
6. Karma- Sunny Lax

Since the workout only takes 10 minutes + whatever time you add in for your stretching this list is more than enough. Are enjoying this "life hack" as much as I am? 

Follow Your Heart

Do you know what you really want? And if you do, are you truly following that want? 

I can say that I was not. 

I'd become more, and more inspired the longer I waited for my new book, "The Desire Map" by Danielle LaPorte- who is a Canadian bred 'inspirer'. I was just itching to read her book! So while I waited (impatiently I may add), I watched her videos on her website, and Youtube.

(This is a more current photo of me finally enjoying her book with a cup of tea)

On her website daniellelaporte.com she has a video, and in that video she asks if your doing what you want, and if you aren't then 

STOP!

 Why? Because what will you really achieve if you aren't?

Maybe your driven by money, or love, or happiness which I talk about in Life changes, whatever drives you, are you doing it? Are you TRULY happy with your life as we speak? 

I started to feel like I was working too hard, like what I was doing wasn't for me. Something deep inside of me was telling me it wasn't right anymore. 

So I stopped...

I'm not gonna say that looking into just this one book (that I hadn't even read yet) changed my life, but it sure did help me listen to that very quite voice in the deepest part of me that was asking me to 

STOP!

And so I did.

Now I'm writing. 

I don't think you know how freeing it is to have finally come to a place in my life where I'm actually doing what I've been dreaming of- or maybe you do know how freeing it is, maybe you took that step already. I never gave myself the opportunity to write before. Yes, I've journaled on and off since I was a teenager, but I haven't written like this.

To be honest with you, I didn't think I had it in me. There was always that daydream 

"God I'd love to write!"

THAT was my inner calling. That was my desire. And yet I was scared as shit to follow it! Because I had another part of me that would say right after that 

"what would you write about?" (in a very critical voice I may add)

Oh the inner turmoil I had for years! I cannot tell you how long I've been back and forth. But I'm so glad that I took the plunge. Everyday, everyDAY I have constant ideas flowing through me, most of them I catch now that I'm writing more regularly.

Are you doing what you want with your life? If you aren't, I highly suggest looking into The Desire Map. It doesn't have to be a career change (or maybe that's what you really want), or a divorce (unless you want that). It could be that you want to feel happiness everyday, because you know what? That's a pretty awesome goal!

There are 2 goals I'm working on as we speak- Priorities to be exact

1. To spend quality time with my son everyday
2. To post my work 4 times a week

You would think the first goal would be a given, seeing as how I have the privilege of staying home with my son, but I've been dealing on and off with adrenal fatigue which can make it hard to do much. 

As for writing, I write almost daily, and post 4 times a week- if not more. 
I started with a list of about 8-10 goals I wanted to achieve, and since reading this article How to Be More Consistent (by Terri Cole) it helped me to simplify- I was intrigued by this article because I love simplicity, and hadn't thought to simplify my goal list. My old list is stored away to be looked at at a later date once I feel like I've accomplished my 2 goals (which are currently being worked on successfully as we speak).

So I want to leave you with this, whatever it looks like, in any shape or form it takes

Follow your heart, where ever it takes you

Because your heart knows the way.

Life Changes

Doesn't it always? I sat contemplating the direction of my life (once again) over pasta, and red wine at one of my favourite local restaurants in downtown Vancouver- Basil Pasta Bar. Gluten free, and dairy free options. 

Just. Plain. Amazing. 

So I had my trusty journal (to write out my thoughts while I waited for my food) as my mind swirled with contemplation 

"What is next? What feels RIGHT?"

My mind was swirling with thoughts, or 'creative juices', something I hadn't always given myself credit for- I've stifled my 'creative flow' for too long! 

My life has taken me on so many journeys, which seem like they are all completely different paths, but it helped me end up where I am today- another fork in the road. Those 'creative juices' I spoke of? Well, I hadn't given myself permission to use them to their full potential. I envied 'those' people who were living to their full potential

"Why hadn't I given myself permission?"

(Danielle LaPorte writes a guest post on Positively Positive on "Permission from the Universe", have a read. Not only is this woman amazing- but so too is this post!)

Sometimes things stop feeling good, sometimes something you thought you wanted may stop feeling like you want it anymore. Personally, I think that that's ok. It's ok to follow your heart. No matter how turbulent it may feel. Because out of what you may deem as a 'mistake' was actually guiding you to what you actually need in your life. We all hit learning curves (if we so choose to use those opportunities), so when things do stop feeling good- use that to move on to the next step! Stop beating yourself up! I know I tend to do that. 

Some people strive for happiness. Some for money, some for other things. I choose happiness. And I love to follow my heart. It has brought me to so many wonderful places that I can't even describe that I'm so grateful that I've done for myself. Because I don't see life as a journey to become "successful" in money terms- yes, of course "money makes the world go 'round", but so too does just being content, happy and excited with life. How wonderful this whole experience is, and why do we miss out? Because we deem ourselves unworthy? Try again! 

Give yourself FULL permission to live your own life!

As my gramma always says "you can't take it with you". No,

money will not follow us into the the other side... But that's another talk on its own. 

Image is courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net